Guides

Olivia Smedley

Olivia is one of six lucky mountain bike enthusiasts to be chosen for Liv's Trail Squad - a tribe of women brought together by one goal: complete the 2018 Absa Cape Epic. Learn from Olivia and the rest of the Squad:

Follow Olivia

Member of the Trail Squad with the aim of encouraging more female riders to get pedalling!

What is your day job?

I am a secondary school science teacher! Also, as a way of sharing the benefits of mountain biking I started a blog page called ‘Loam Garden’ found at www.loamgarden.wordpress.com.

What is your biggest achievement?

Getting a group of friends together for regular cycling trips I guess! My friends and I went on a group trip to BikePark Wales earlier in the year. We had an absolutely awesome time and made sure that we caught all the action on film! I made a little video edit and hosted a premiere night at my place. It was so rewarding seeing everyone laughing and reminiscing whilst watching the video!

What is your goal for 2017 and beyond?

To build up my riding fitness so that I can ride 100km+ days in the saddle. It really is going to be an EPIC challenge preparing for the Cape Epic in South Africa next year! I have been looking for local races and events to take part in to motivate myself to keep it up. Also, I want to carry on producing content to encourage others to ride.

Why do you love cycling?

The feeling of freedom that comes from being out amongst nature, flying down flowing trails and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Why do you love riding for Liv?

I started mountain biking less than a year ago (I hadn’t ridden a bike for 10 years previous to that) and the bike I chose was a Liv Tempt 1. I absolutely loved this bike and definitely put it through its paces. I chose this particular bike because Liv products really do have the smaller female frame in mind with their women's specific designs and they also ensure the bike's components are as highly specced as their male counterparts.

What is one item you would never leave home without?

Go Pro Hero 5 to record all the fantastic scenery, epic trails and comedy moments on the bike so I can replay all those amazing memories for years to come!

If you could learn a new sport or skill this year, what would it be?

Wheelies! I would love to be able to sustain a wheelie for more than a metre or so!

What is your favorite place to travel?

Within the UK I enjoy heading to South Wales as there are some great places to ride there. I have never really traveled outside of the UK for a biking specific holiday. I traveled around New Zealand for 3 months back in 2012 and would love to return there again now I know about the mountain biking potential of the place! If only I was into bikes back then and had realized the shredding potential out there in that southern hemisphere paradise! The scenery in New Zealand is so dramatic and beautiful.

What is your favorite food?

I try to be healthy but I have to say I do love bacon and maple syrup pancakes for a treat!

Who is your favorite riding partner?

Going riding with a group of other female riders is my favourite thing to do, but if I had to pick my favourite riding buddy it is probably my friend Sam, as we always have a laugh and challenge ourselves.

How do you spend your time off the bike?

I also have a passion for bodyboarding and have represented the country at the European Surfing Championships and the World Bodyboard Games a few years ago. Like biking, being in the sea washes away all the stresses of everyday life!

What do you want to be "when you grow up"?

I would like to improve my bike riding skills and continue to improve my video editing. I would love to travel the world some more to discover some more wild trails.

Words you live by...

In the words of Albert Einstein (I am a secondary school physics teacher after all!) ‘Life is like a bicycle; to keep your balance you must keep moving.’